Jennifer Bramblett is
a jockey we are both friends with and it is a pleasure for both of us to have
interview included on our site.

Jennifer
Bramblett in the paddock at Philadelphia Park, 2001

FOTH: Where were you born and where did you grow
up?

JB: I was born in Palm
Springs, California and I grew up in Northern Arizona about 90 miles north of
Phoenix in a town called Cornville, Arizona.

FOTH: Any brothers or sisters? What do your parents
think of you being a jockey?

JB: I have 2 brothers, one older
brother named Justin and one younger named Travis. No sisters. My parents, they
are excited that I am a jockey. My mom gets a little nervous sometimes, but
she was the one who got me involved in horses when I was 2 years old. She does
get a little worried because I have already had a few accidents and it worries
her a little bit, but at the same time she is very excited and happy for me.

FOTH: What sort of girl were you growing up?

JB: I was a tomboy. All
I did was hang out and I rode dirt bikes and horses and played football and
baseball with the guys pretty much most of the time.

FOTH: What event or events led to you becoming
a jockey?

JB: Well like I said I
grew up riding all my life. I rode rodeos and then I got involved in English
and jumping. However, it was a childhood dream to become a jockey, but I was
never near a race track. When I went to college in Southern California I met
a girl who was involved in the 2 year old sales and she worked for a Bloodstock
agent and asked me if I would like to help with one of the sales. So I started
helping at the 2 year old sales and I did that for about a year. I was on the
ground working with the horses and I wanted to start riding. From there on I
was sure I wanted to become a jockey. I started galloping at Pomona Racetrack
and then I went to Santa Anita and I worked for Randy Bradshaw. From there I
moved to New York and became a jockey.

FOTH: Were you taught anything as far as riding
goes? Did anybody help you out?

JB: Not really. I had
a few jockey friends that helped me along the way before I became a jockey.
Then when I was riding in Kentucky, Willie Martinez helped me quite a bit on
the Equisizer (this is a wooden horse young jockeys use to become familiar with
race horses)

FOTH: Tell us all about what you remember about
your 1st race.

JB: My 1st race was at
Belmont Park. I actually was supposed to wait for Aqueduct to open up, but he
was ready and the race came up. The trainer's name was Mary Ellis Coffy. The
horse's name was Brazen Memories. We won the race. We beat Jorge (Chop Chop)
Chavez, who was on the favorite. The horse paid $131.00 to win. I was in the
one hole and pretty much went to the lead. Everytime Chop Chop whipped my horse
went faster It was a time I will never forget. Newspapers all around doing interviews,
etc. The purse was $41,000.

FOTH: Were you nervous at all in the gate?

JB: Yes I was very nervous
in the gate. I had Jerry Bailey on one side of me and Chop Chop on the other.
It was a little intimidating. You want to look and do good and try not to make
any mistakes.

FOTH: Did you get creamed after the win and did
you know it was coming?

JB: They got me with raw eggs.
They smashed them on my head. Baby powder, buckets of water and all the guys
from New York, Aaron Gryder, Mike Luzzi, etc. It was fun and the pictures were
great. I walked down the hall and I didn't even know it was coming. It was a
lot of fun.

FOTH: Do you feel you were a good apprentice rider?

JB: I started probably too soon.
I wasn't ready to start riding races, but I was a little anxious and I was older
for a "bug" rider so I wanted to get going. Probably never should have started
at Aqueduct. I should have started at a smaller track, but I learned a lot in
New York. The riders are great and very patient and taught me to be a patient
rider, to sit and finish up those last 3/8ths of a mile. I think I was a good
apprentice rider. I was a smart rider, but I'm definitely a better journeyman.
I always had a good sense of pace. I know when my horses were comfortable.

FOTH: What are some memories you have as a "bug"
rider?

JB: A lot of traveling and injuries.
I had 3 kind of freak injuries in a row. That unfortunately is my memory of
being a "bug" rider. I was kicked at Garden State after the race by a pony horse.
When I was riding her at Delaware I had a horse in the post parade kick me and
break my cheekbone so I was out 3 months with that. I then moved down to Kentucky
and I got going and I was riding at Churchill Downs less that 2 weeks and I
picked up a horse down there and the horse went down and I broke my wrist. 3
injuries close together that was tough mentally to keep coming back from those
injuries. However I did very well at Turfway that year. That was probably my
best memory. I won about 71 races in about 3 months andI was 2nd leading rider.

FOTH: Do you feel female riders do not get the
respect they deserve?

JB: No I don't think we
get the respect we deserve. I still think females are underrated a little bit.
I think we are better riders that people give us credit for. I think trainers
are starting to ride more females jockeys realizing most of them can ride just
as good as the guys.

FOTH: Any other female jockeys you admire?

JB: I admire all female
jockeys. I think it is a very tough atmosphere to be in cause it is a male dominated
sport. It is challenge mentally as well as physically, Females work twice as
hard and don't ride as many horses. I admire any female jockey.

FOTH: What advice would you give to a young girl
who wants to be a jockey?

JB: I would say go for it. Follow
your dreams it is wonderful.

FOTH: How long would you want to ride for?

JB: I would like to ride
as long as I am healthy, doing well and happy. I don't put a time limit on it.

FOTH: Any track you would like to ride at one day?

JB: Arlington and Santa
Anita. I started galloping at Santa Anita, but I never rode a race there.

FOTH; Do you have a favorite horse or trainer you
like to ride for?

JB: My favorite horse
is a filly I rode called "Love Talkin". I won a few races at Churchill Downs
on her and I broke her maiden and won an allowance race. Also "Sir Cherokee"
who was gonna be in the derby. I broke his maiden at Keeneland. I really enjoyed
riding for Mike Thomlenson. Mike gave me some great opportunities and I loved
his horses.

FOTH: Take us through what you do in a typical
day.

JB: I wake up about 5am
and go to the track and breeze horses that you have set up from the day before.
You talk to trainers and your agent and try to get as much business as you can.
Try to go to every barn and set up some mounts for racing. Then I go home and
have breakfast and take my dogs for a walk and then head over to the jock's
room and I am usually there all day.

FOTH: Do you have anything you like to do when
you are away from the track?

JB: I like going jogging
with my dogs.

FOTH: What do you remember about riding the last
ever meet at Garden State and do you remember getting your picture taken with
me ha ha?

JB: It was when I got
hurt so it wasn't a great time, but I did do well there as a "bug" rider. Whenever
I went over there to ride I usually did very well. Of course I remember getting
that picture with you (laughs)

FOTH: Thanks for the interview. Any last words?

JB: I think it is very
nice that the two of you are doing this website on the internet. I hope young
girls are reading it and will be inspired and more knowledgeable about this
sport.